Augmented Dining

Restaurants serve more than just food to enhance patronage

Implications - More restaurants and eateries are straying from the traditional expectation of serving only food and embarking on new ventures that entice consumers with specific preferences. These establishments go beyond a theme; they offer a unique additional service or activitiy—such as animal petting, clothes-cleaning and even tattooing—to draw in patrons who might otherwise not be interested in the food aspect of the business.

The 'Property Of...' store in Amsterdam is kind of like the "inception" of retail establishments. It is actually a store within a cafe, offering its customers both a laid-back coffee shop in which to hang… [More]

The culinary world capital Paris has shown its resilience in the face of economic struggles by opening the playfully elaborate Hotel Thoumieux restaurant Gastronomique. The lush styling of the 20-person… [More]

Horror Picture Tea is not your typical posh tea parlor. This underground-style cafe serves up delectable desserts and eerie tattoos. It also features live bands and a funky urban art gallery. The creator… [More]

Copenhagen's Laundromat Cafe is one of the few places in the world where you can grab a cup of coffee while doing your laundry at the same time. The Laundromat Cafe in Copenhagen actually has two locations:… [More]

The Felis Ristorante and Cat Lounge in Utsunomiya, Japan is an interesting cafe where 30 cute felines temporarily live. At this cafe, you can enjoy a cup of tea while cuddling a cute kitten. All of the… [More]

There has been a rise in the convergence of journalism and community involvement, and one example is the Winnipeg Free Press cafe. The first newspaper-branded restaurant to open in Canada, this innovative… [More]